The bookies have the former Watford boss at just 8/11 to be the next Saints boss after Hughes was sacked on Monday morning.

Behind Sanchez Flores in the market is former RB Leipzig boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Prior to Southampton's 2-2 draw against Southampton, Paulo Sousa was leading the market but he is now third favourite at a huge 10/1.

Betfair Spokesperson Katie Baylis said: “With confirmation Hughes has been given the boot from Southampton, attention turns to who will take over.

"We’ve seen a flood of bets on Sanchez Flores over the weekend and his odds have gone from 14/1 before the weekend, to 2/1 yesterday with the former Watford manager now backed into odds-on favourite at 8/11 as of this morning.

"Hasenhuttl is the 5/2 second favourite with Sousa at 10/1, but at the moment it looks like Flores could be heading back to England.”

Betfair: Next Southampton manager

Quique Sanchez Flores 8/11

Ralph Hasenhuttl 5/2

Paulo Sousa 10/1

Gary Monk 14/1

David Moyes 16/1

Peter Bosz 16/1

Leonardo Jardim 20/1

Sam Allardyce 20/1

Brendan Rodgers 33/1

Steve Bruce 33/1

Louis van Gaal 40/1

Gordon Strachan 50/1

Frank Lampard 60/1

Marians Pahars 66/1

Mark Warburton 75/1

Alan Curbishley 90/1

Gary Megson 100/1

Matt Le Tissier 100/1

Hughes is the second Premier League manager of the season to be sacked, after Fulham axed Slavisa Jokanovic.

Southampton decided to call time on the 55-year-old's time as boss after a ten-game winless streak in the English top flight.

First Team Assistant Coach Kelvin Davis will lead the team for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.